A force spokesman said: "Sadly the sole occupant of the microlight, the male pilot, was confirmed dead at the scene. He has yet to be formally identified.

"Specially-trained officers will be supporting the man's family and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

"No one else was involved in the incident."

Efforts by the ambulance service, the hazardous area response team and the Midlands air ambulance – which rushed to the field where the crash occurred – did not manage to save the pilot.

A West Midlands ambulance service spokesman said: "Crews arrived to find a microlight aircraft that is believed to have been in collision with pylons and crashed into a field.

"Advanced life support was carried out on the man who was piloting the microlight, but unfortunately despite the best efforts of medics, nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene."

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is to carry out an investigation into the circumstances of the collision.